Coronavirus: Queen says 'better days will return' as she addresses nation and Commonwealth

The Queen has urged people to remain united and resolute as she said “better days will return” as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.

The Queen, who recorded her rare address to the nation and the Commonwealth at Windsor Castle, thanked NHS workers, care workers, and those carrying out essential work outside the home “in support of us all”.

She said: “Every hour of your hard work brings up closer to a return to more normal times.

“I also want to thank those of you who are staying at home, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones.

“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.”

Queen Elizabeth II during her address to the nation and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic. (Buckingham Palace)

She added: “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.

“And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.

“That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet, good-humoured resolve and of fellow feeling still characterise this country.”

The Queen as Princess Elizabeth with her sister Margaret, addressing the nation's children in 1940. (Getty Images)

The Monarch acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by many as the economy takes a hit from the consequences of lockdown, as well as mentioning the grief felt by those who have lost loved ones.

And she said there had been stories from across the Commonwealth and around the world of communities coming together “be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort”.

The Queen, 93, also remembered her late sister, Princess Margaret, with whom she made her first address, from Windsor Castle during the Blitz, when they sought to offer comfort to other children.

Queen Elizabeth II left London for Windsor a week early this year. (Getty Images)

“It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister. We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety.

“Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do,” she said.

Echoing the words of Dame Vera Lynn, she said: “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”

Her address, recorded last week, used images of NHS workers getting ready for shifts, as well as children showing their rainbow paintings, a marker Her Majesty said would be a symbol by which this time is remembered.

A rainbow made from bottle caps in Muston, Leicestershire. (Press Association)

She said: “The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit; and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children.”

The Queen has only made four other special addresses during her reign - during the Gulf War in 1991, after the death of Princess Diana in 1997, after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002 and during the celebrations for her diamond jubilee in 2012.

On this occasion, it was shown on the Royal Family’s social media at the same time as the broadcast on television and radio.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited the London Ambulance Service 111 control room in Croydon. (Kensington Palace)

At that time, she said: “At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.

“We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.

“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.”

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Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK, her grandson Prince William was the first royal to make a video address. He gave his support to the National Emergencies Trust (NET) who will raise money for organisations helping to tackle the disease.

William and his wife Kate have also been making calls to NHS staff including the colleagues of Amged El-Hawrani who was the first medic to die after contracting COVID-19.

He urged people to be kind, and praising NHS staff as well as supermarket workers, for keeping the country going.

In a speech as he opened the NHS Nightingale field hospital on Friday he spoke about his own experience with coronavirus, saying he only had a mild case, but acknowledging that many would have it more seriously.